Tensionable skive for magnetic brush application

Abstract

Skiving apparatus for use in electrographic copiers for stripping magnetically attractive developer from the outer sleeve of a magnetic brush applicator. Such apparatus comprises an elongated and flexible skive blade and means for applying equal and opposite axial forces at spaced locations along the blade to produce tension in the skive blade and thereby provide a straight skiving edge. Preferably, the skive blade is made of a magnetically attractive material so that it is attracted toward the magnetic core piece of the brush applicator.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In an electrographic magnetic brush applicator system of the type including a cylindrical outer sleeve to which developer is attractible by a magnetic core piece positioned within the sleeve, and means for producing relative movement between the sleeve and core piece to transport such developer between a development zone and a supply, a device for skiving developer from such sleeve comprising a flexible, elongated skive blade, means for tensioning said blade to produce a straight skiving edge, and means for supporting said skiving edge proximate the sleeve periphery. 
     
     
       2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said skive blade is magnetically attractive. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein said skive is made of steel having a thickness between 25 and 250 microns. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus for skiving developer from an electrographic magnetic brush applicator, such applicator comprising a cylindrical sleeve to which a magnetically attractive developer adheres by a magnetic core piece positioned within the sleeve, and means for producing relative movement between the sleeve and core piece to advance such developer over the outer surface of the sleeve, said apparatus comprising a flexible, elongated skive blade, tensioning means for applying equal and opposite forces on said blade at spaced locations to produce tension therein, whereby a straight skiving edge is provided, and means for urging said skiving edge into contact with the sleeve periphery. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said skive blade is magnetically attractive. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus as defined by claim 5 wherein said skive is made of steel having a thickness between 25 and 250 microns. 
     
     
       7. Electrographic development apparatus comprising a magnetic brush applicator having a cylindrical outer sleeve and a magnetic core piece positioned therein, means for producing relative movement between said sleeve and core piece to transport a magnetically attractive developer between a development zone and a developer supply, and skiving means for skiving said developer from said sleeve, said skiving means comprising a flexible, elongated skive blade, tensioning means for tensioning said blade to provide a straight skiving edge, and means for supporting said skiving edge proximate the sleeve periphery. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus as defined by claim 7 further comprising means for biasing said skiving edge toward said sleeve periphery. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as defined by claim 7 wherein said blade is magnetically attractive, whereby said blade is urged into contact with said sleeve periphery by said magnetic core piece.